Christopher's Newly Released book, "Guide To Wild Foods and Useful Plants," has recently been re-published in full color. It is available now
from major book retailers, Amazon, and on Christopher's Store.

The latest by Nyerges: "FORAGING CALIFORNIA" - a full color guide to California's wild food, organized by plant families, with lots of additional information like recipes (by Pascal Baudar and Mia) and charts about nutrition. "An amazing book" according to Paul Campbell. It is available now from major book retailers, Amazon, and on Christopher's Store.

The latest by Nyerges: "NUTS AND BERRIES OF CALIFORNIA: Tips and Recipes for Gatherers. A Falcon Field Guide by Christopher Nyerges
The book is divided between the native nuts and berries, and the horticulturally introduced plants (HIPs), which thrive in the cities and wilderness.The book includes some unique information on the processing of the buckeye seeds, details on processing olives, and recipes throughout.
It is available now from major book retailers, Amazon, and on Christopher's Store.

WHO WE ARE

The School of Self-reliance arose from Christopher and Dolores Nyerges’ dream to live and to teach practical skills to mostly urban folks who’ve lost touch with our most basic roots.The School was founded by Christopher and Dolores, now (since Dolores’ passing in 2008) carried on by Christopher and peripatetic faculty of uniquely-skilled individuals.[Click on Memorial to read about Dolores].

Since 1974, Christopher Nyerges has taken over 30,000 children and adults on his Wild Food Outings, Survival Skills Outings, and other field trips and outdoor programs.

He has worked with such groups as Sierra Club, Tree People, Southwest Museum, Boy Scouts of America, Elder Hostel, home schools, public and private schools, churches, libraries, etc.

He is the author of 10 books, including Self-Sufficient Home: How to Go Green and Save Money, How to Survive Anywhere, Enter the Forest, and Guide to Wild Foods. He was the editor of Wilderness Way magazine for 7 years, and has authored several thousand newspaper and magazine articles in such publications as the Los Angeles Times, Pasadena Star News, Pasadena Weekly, Whole Life Times, AmericanSurvival Guide,and others.

The classes and workshops of the School of Self-reliance have been featured on all Los Angeles-area television stations, including KCET’s “Life andTimes” and “Visiting with Huell Howser.”For two years, Nyerges appeared on Fox TV’s “X show,” where he demonstrated survival skills on the streets of Los Angeles.

[Note: See our Special in the Store as a tribute to the late Huell Howser]

MISSION STATEMENT

Why do we do what we do?We believe it builds inherent strength into every community (and country) when the individuals are strong and self-reliant.

We have found that most people are more in touch with their true inner strength when they actually learn practical skills that enhance their day to day life.This goes for the skills we call “urban skills” as well as the skills we call “wilderness skills.”

Many of these physical skills are very basic, and every Boy Scout should know these by age 12.Thus, we encourage others to become a positive and active member in their communities, and to work to create the uplifting and safe community that we all want to live in.We are not isolationists and are not looking for a secret cave to run away and hide.

We frequently recommend books and movies to illustrate key points for right living, as well as to illustrate that which should be avoided.

We welcome adults and children, and we welcome people of all races and religions to our programs.We espouse no religion, and we welcome people of all faiths.

We’ve heard rumors of “The End of the World” for decades, and yes, a comet could crash into the earth any day, rendering our normal way of life rather messy!Yet, we’re more concerned about the problems and crises here and now, and how each one of us, in our own way, can be a part of the solution.